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NE of the conspicuous tendencies in the present development of book distribution in this country is the rapid growth of the rental library. This is not a new institution among us—some of the libraries have had a half century of continuous existence. The development has not been along the lines of the large English libraries with their national spread of membership from four or five central organizations; but has grown out of the initiative of a great variety of stores which have responded to an increasing desire to read among the great middle class of American people. There was a natural feeling at first among bookstores that the renting of books was in direct competition to book sales, but the experiments of some of the largest stores have proved that this is not generally the case, but that the two thrive side by side. There has already been an increased appreciation of what the library can do for the stores' general activity. Patrons taking books from the rental. library are bound to come back to the store again, and each time they are exposed to the general temptations to purchase books or other merchandise.

Still another characteristic of the late developments has been the introduction of non-fiction into the rental shelves, and in spite of the fact that fiction is the mainstay of the rental library activity, non-fiction has an increasing place, possibly due to the

fact that there are outstanding titles in nonfiction that are as well known to the general public as fiction best sellers.

Several years ago the National Association of Book Publishers made a special study of the rental library conduct, and issued a valuable pamphlet by Marion Humble, which has been widely distributed and has enabled new entrants into the field to put their affairs on a good business basis.

The Publishers' Weekly, which has carried many articles on the rental library, has just made a canvass of a number of libraries in varying types of stores: department stores, general bookstores, small gift shops, etc., and puts the results of the questionnaire before its readers, believing that such a survey is particularly desirable at this time.

The conducting of the rental library is different from an ordinary book business, and it is particularly important that managers of these libraries should have the advantage of the best business practices in selling and promoting and systematizing their business.

Location

Proprietors of new independent libraries are locating them largely in residential neighborhoods, with the larger enterprises in downtown shopping districts, where they can appeal to both business and residential clients. Many are being located in large

office buildings where the tenants themselves supply the basis of a good business. When the library, however, is developed in an established store there comes immediately the problem of location within the store. In department stores the library is usually near the main book department, and that means sometimes the first floor, and sometimes upper floor location. If it is on the upper floor, it is best to have it near the service departments. Several department stores report the use of the mezzanine floor. This is usually a low rent area, but very convenient of access to those bringing in the book for exchange. In stores selling books exclusively it is the usual practice to place the rental library in the rear of the store, in basement or balcony, and in this fashion patrons of the library are presented with opportunities to buy books or other merchandise from regular stock.

Registration Fees

Out of thirty-eight libraries which have, at this writing, replied, sixteen have no registration fee, nine require a fee, twelve require fees from transients or non-charge customers, one charges a seventy-five cent fee which pays the first month's rental. Where a fee is charged the common registration is $1 to $1.50, with three stores charging fees of $2.

Rental Fees

It has been evident that this recent expansion in rental libraries has been based on prompt service on the best new books, and to do this it has been necessary to change from the old fee of two cents per day, which would not show profit on the cost of books if the best titles were promptly supplied. By far the largest number of libraries, twenty-six out of 35 who answered this question, charge three cents per day; three charge two cents; and three charge five cents. Two have flat rates depending on the cost of the book. Most libraries have a minimum fee, such as ten cents for three days, fifteen for five days, or twentyfive cents a week. The introduction of non-fiction into a large number of stores has complicated the problem of fees. One of the simplest solutions arrived at by certain stores is two cents per dollar on the price. Of flat fees for non-fiction, the commonest price is five cents per day, with one

fee at six cents, and one at ten cents per day.

Seasonal memberships of three, six or twelve months have been developed by only five out of thirty-five libraries. Some stores have special summer rates, and many stores issue tickets good for a certain amount of rental, and these are often sold at a slight discount. Such tickets are often kept on file at the library, and in case of a charge account a new ticket of four, five or eight dollars, etc., is charged to the customer and placed on file in the library. This seems especially advisable in cases where messengers are sent for books, and does away with the necessity of the customer making change.

Purchase of Books

In almost all cases where libraries are connected with general stores, the books are transferred from the regular book department, sometimes at the purchase cost, sometimes at retail price, and sometimes at a library discount, leaving some margin to cover the book department's expense at handling. In almost all cases the librarian in charge makes the selections, and it is almost universally agreed that the selec tion must be along lines of general popular interest. This is necessary because the librarian does not have much time at her disposal for arguing the merits of individual books to the customers.

Space Rent and Accounts

Twenty-one replies indicate that the library is charged with space rent, and the accounts are kept separate from other business. Seven shops neither charge the library with space rent nor keep separate accounts. However, five more shops keep the expenses apart, altho the library is not charged with space rent.

Salaries of Clerks

Twenty-five managers who answered the questionnaire gave information as to the salaries for clerks. Compilation of these answers shows that $18 is the average weekly salary for a clerk, with the range including $12 salaries paid in large department stores to the $25 weekly salary paid by only three of the libraries. It is appar ently customary for the rental library clerk to devote a portion of her time to sales and general work in the bookstore.